Community

 
Jump Menu:
Post Reply
Page 1 of 2  •  1 2 Next
Switch to Forum Live View Building up a Wolfman (Not Werewolf or Halfling) and need some advice
12 months ago  ::  Jul 01, 2012 - 7:53PM #1
TarlokTheWonderWolf
Date Joined: Jul 1, 2012
Posts: 9
Hello everyone, first post here, I'll try not to screw up too bad with my understandings of things. If there's already information like this available, please feel free to direct me elsewhere or call me an idiot for not digging deep enough.

My current problem stems from my character's race. He's a Beast Man and I have no idea what I should do in terms of race given traits, he's a massive character (Weighs around three hundred pounds at 8' 11") and is a simple Fighter type in combat ability. Any suggestions?

Basics

Name: Tarlok (The Feared)
Race: Wolven (Goliath)(+2 STR +2 CON)
Age: Presumably twenty two human years, actual age unknown
Size: Medium (Medium-Large, at 8' 11" and 300lbs)
Alignment: True Neutral
Deity: None Specified
Class: Fighter (Paragon, Pit Fighter)
Weapon Proficiency: Heavy Blades
Current Level: 2

Statistics
STR: 19 (+2 Strength) +4 (+1)
CON: 15 (+2 Constitution) +3 (+1)
DEX: 14 +2 (+1)
INT: 10 (+1)
WIS: 11 (+1)
CHA: 11 (+1)
(I also hope I did these stats right)

Many speak of him as a creature undeserving of love or pity, others claim that his mere existence is grounds for slaying. Still more find Tarlok to be a beast not to be trifled with. Standing as an imposing figure and weilding a massive blade, Tarlok carves his own path through life, and hopes that when death comes for him, he'll be ready to accept it.

Although he doesn't look like it, Tarlok is a sophisticated wolf man. The only thing that leads others to believe otherwise is his mannerisms and his poor common speech. If one were to speak his language, one would hear such wonderful phrasings such as 'I find myself distraught over these circumstances but do not cower away from the challenges they present.' Unfortunately, with his poor grasp of the Common language, he only speaks such phrases as 'Tarlok not like this. Tarlok not scared though.' This leads many to believe that Tarlok is easily deceived, when alas he possesses an intellect he cannot properly convey. This leads to difficulties in communication, as well as misunderstandings when trying to convey his thoughts and feelings.

Finally, being a beast man, Tarlok does not convey to social norms. Constantly he can be seen devouring deceased enemies or otherwise making lewd remarks at the expense of another species. That and when you smell like a wet dog for a long enough period of time, people find themselves repulsed at the scent of you. That and occasionally crashing through the front door of the bar in order to get some food doesn't always sit well with local town folks. There are a few benefits though, such as being able to track targets much easier through scent alone, and his incredible size does grant him an abnormally high strength. This benefits most who don't wind up on the opposite end of his teeth and fangs, nor the greatswords he swings around like toys.
Quick Reply
Cancel
12 months ago  ::  Jul 01, 2012 - 8:07PM #2
Eisenritter
Date Joined: Oct 16, 2009
Posts: 1,027
One, no PC race is Large.  Ever.  And nothing's going to let you mechanically use a two-handed weapon in each hand until at least 24th level, assuming your DM is intelligent and won't let you play a bugbear.

Two, I suggest Gnoll (Dragon article) or Shifter (PH2) for this concept.  The latter is most along the lines of the movie wolfman, racial power can be used to represent a frenzy at being bled.  I have a similar character (a barbarian) using a Gnoll to represent the "dire wolf" variety.
Quick Reply
Cancel
12 months ago  ::  Jul 01, 2012 - 8:20PM #3
TarlokTheWonderWolf
Date Joined: Jul 1, 2012
Posts: 9
Please, tell me more Eisen. And also, why can the PC Races never be Large? (assuming Large is about seven-nine feet tall)
Quick Reply
Cancel
12 months ago  ::  Jul 01, 2012 - 8:31PM #4
Eisenritter
Date Joined: Oct 16, 2009
Posts: 1,027
It messes with a bit of the game's map reliance.  Close bursts target more enemies, it's easier for enemies to flank you, you have longer reach, and so forth.  Don't ask me to quote all the issues exactly, all I know is it's a Bad Idea.

And for the record, there are a few player races that default to that size range.  They're all Medium.  It's all fluff, really; Caramon Majere, notably, was human, but consistently described as being as large as three other men. 
Quick Reply
Cancel
12 months ago  ::  Jul 01, 2012 - 8:37PM #5
TarlokTheWonderWolf
Date Joined: Jul 1, 2012
Posts: 9
I see. So it's mostly an aesthetic thing. Being extra huge makes gives too many advantages and disadvantages, versus a medium build which is a bit more natural and useable.

So going by what you said, about it being 'all fluff', the character itself can still be big (Cosmetically)  yet still only conform to rules of being a Medium Build? Since being Large is something I want not as an advantageous/disadvantageous character tool, but moreso just for the sake of the character.

Ex: Being eight feet tall, but still going by the rules of being six feet or so tall like an average human. 
Quick Reply
Cancel
12 months ago  ::  Jul 01, 2012 - 8:39PM #6
DoctorNecrotic
Date Joined: May 24, 2012
Posts: 1,097
If you don't want a gnoll, there is homebrewed content that fits the bill and it somewhat balanced.  Mystara's Lupins are wolf-people and there are a few conversions to 4th edition.  There is also Wolfkin from the D&D Wiki, which includes a racial paragon path.
Disgruntled ghost of the Knights of W.T.F.
(Keep D&D alive, end the edition wars!)

"And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Disclaimer: Most of my posts are based on opinions (and are sometimes humorous, other times inspirational)
Quick Reply
Cancel
12 months ago  ::  Jul 01, 2012 - 8:45PM #7
Eisenritter
Date Joined: Oct 16, 2009
Posts: 1,027
Exactly.  And, for future reference, the "Average Height" and "Average Weight" lines in the race blocks are meant to help new players, but they're not related to crunch (that is, mechanics) at all.  So for the sake of bringing your character to life, feel free to toss those lines out, because all that really matters is the rest of the block, which is the mechanics.

My group's had a thri-kreen (four-armed freaky bug thing) played as a mutant four-armed elf, for instance.  Cosmetic changes are fine, and even encouraged, but be ready to explain things to the DM if needed.

In this case, he's on the big end of Medium.  Like a Gnoll or Goliath. 
Quick Reply
Cancel
12 months ago  ::  Jul 01, 2012 - 8:50PM #8
TarlokTheWonderWolf
Date Joined: Jul 1, 2012
Posts: 9
Hrm. More things to think about. I'm gonna go to bed, and then I'll post some more Qs tomorrow. Thanks for your help so far guys/gals.
Quick Reply
Cancel
12 months ago  ::  Jul 02, 2012 - 2:31PM #9
TarlokTheWonderWolf
Date Joined: Jul 1, 2012
Posts: 9

Jul 1, 2012 -- 8:45PM, Eisenritter wrote:



My group's had a thri-kreen (four-armed freaky bug thing) played as a mutant four-armed elf, for instance.  Cosmetic changes are fine, and even encouraged, but be ready to explain things to the DM if needed.
 




So by this statement alone, even though the race of the creature is different, it follows its growth patterns and personal statistics? Like, say someone plays a Fire Breathing Half-Human Half-Fire Elemental, but they use Dragonborn as a base so that they have access to an actual 'Fire-Breath' attack, even though the creature itself isn't a Dragonborn?

Quick Reply
Cancel
12 months ago  ::  Jul 02, 2012 - 6:48PM #10
TheBringer
Date Joined: Jan 2, 2011
Posts: 414
Exactly. You use the stats of something that already exists in the system, but you can describe it as whatever you like. After all, descriptions and aesthetics dont effect anything besides your roleplaying, so the two can be seperate.
Heya everyone, here are my homebrew threads:
(yes there is only one right now, but there are more to come!)
And Let There Be Fish-Men: KUO-TOA
Quick Reply
Cancel
Page 1 of 2  •  1 2 Next
Jump Menu:
 
    Viewing this thread :: 0 registered and 1 guest
    No registered users viewing